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York pub guide · By Tom Hart · Updated 26 Oct 2026

The best pubs in York

The pub York's guides agree on most is The Phoenix Inn, 75 George St. It's on 3 of the 7 lists we read, and Reddit recommends it too. Best for local cask ale, jazz and a famous quiz by the city walls (checked 26 Oct 2026).

Ranked on how many of 7 published lists and awards name each pub, plus what locals recommend on Reddit. Every card says what the pub is best for and who said so.

Showing all 22 pubs, best first
#1 Photo to come

The Phoenix Inn

★ 4.6 (1,071)

75 George St, YO1 9PT

Best for local cask ale, jazz and a famous quiz by the city walls.

Beer gardenTraditionalLive music
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“What remains is an independent pub where people actually talk, accompanied by local cask ale and regular jazz.”Snaptrip

  • On 3 of 7 lists (Yorkshire Food Guide, Snaptrip (#7), Skinned Cart Ree)
  • Recommended 6 times on Reddit
  • Google 4.6★ from 1,071 reviews
  • Score 10 = 2 × 3 lists + 4 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#2 Photo to come

The Blue Bell

★ 4.7 (1,709)

53 Fossgate, YO1 9TF

Best for a tiny, unchanged Edwardian interior and award-winning cask ale.

TraditionalSmallProper pub
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Outside seats · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“York CAMRA named it Pub of the Year in 2025, so the beer keeps pace with the history too.”Snaptrip

  • On 3 of 7 lists (Snaptrip (#1), Skinned Cart Ree, House of York)
  • Recommended 7 times on Reddit, 1 against
  • Google 4.7★ from 1,709 reviews
  • Score 9 = 2 × 3 lists + 4 Reddit − 1
Full details Directions ↗
#3 Photo to come

Pivní

★ 4.6 (1,743)

6 Patrick Pool, YO1 8BB

Best for a huge craft and world beer list in a 16th-century building off the Shambles.

Quirky
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Pivní packs an impressive amount of beer into a 16th-century, three-storey building just off the Shambles.”Snaptrip

  • On 3 of 7 lists (Yorkshire Food Guide, Snaptrip (#6), Skinned Cart Ree)
  • Recommended 5 times on Reddit, 1 against
  • Google 4.6★ from 1,743 reviews
  • Score 9 = 2 × 3 lists + 4 Reddit − 1
Full details Directions ↗
#4 Photo to come

The Golden Fleece

★ 4.4 (4,018)

16 Pavement, YO1 9UP

Best for the ghost stories, in a crooked timber-framed inn that claims to be York's most haunted.

Old pubLive musicQuirkyBeer garden
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“The pub dates back centuries, claims the title of York’s most haunted pub and comes with crooked floors, timbered rooms and tales of things going bump after closing time.”Snaptrip

  • On 4 of 7 lists (Snaptrip (#4), Skinned Cart Ree, RJ on Tour, House of York)
  • Recommended 1 time on Reddit
  • Google 4.4★ from 4,018 reviews
  • Score 9 = 2 × 4 lists + 1 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#5 Photo to come

House of the Trembling Madness

★ 4.7 (5,082)

48 Stonegate, YO1 8AS

Best for a long craft beer list in a medieval room full of taxidermy.

Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Food

Why it's here

“House of the Trembling Madness is wonderfully odd before you’ve even ordered anything.”Snaptrip

  • On 2 of 7 lists (Snaptrip (#2), Skinned Cart Ree)
  • Recommended 5 times on Reddit
  • Google 4.7★ from 5,082 reviews
  • Score 8 = 2 × 2 lists + 4 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#6 Photo to come

The Last Drop Inn

★ 4.4 (913)

27 Colliergate, YO1 8BW

Best for changing cask ales at York CAMRA's City Pub of the Year 2026.

Real ale
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Live music · Sport on · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Better still, York CAMRA crowned it City Pub of the Year for 2026.”Snaptrip

  • On 3 of 7 lists (Snaptrip (#3), House of York, York CAMRA Pubs of the Year winner)
  • Recommended 1 time on Reddit
  • Google 4.4★ from 913 reviews
  • Score 7 = 2 × 3 lists + 1 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#7 Photo to come

The Golden Ball

★ 4.7 (746)

2 Cromwell Rd, Bishophill Senior, YO1 6DU

Best for York's first community-owned pub, with cask ale and a Tuesday quiz.

Beer gardenLive music
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“York’s first community-owned pub, and a champion of good beer and good conversation.”House of York

  • On 1 of 7 lists (House of York)
  • Recommended 7 times on Reddit
  • Google 4.7★ from 746 reviews
  • Score 6 = 2 × 1 lists + 4 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#8 Photo to come

The Rook & Gaskill

★ 4.6 (667)

12 Lawrence St, YO10 3WP

Best for real ale and a Sunday lunch, with dogs welcome.

Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“The Sunday lunch here is outstanding, they’re dog-friendly, and the atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between welcoming to visitors and beloved by locals.”Skinned Cart Ree

  • On 3 of 7 lists (Skinned Cart Ree, York Press top 10 pubs 2026 shortlist, York CAMRA Pubs of the Year winner)
  • Google 4.6★ from 667 reviews
  • Score 6 = 2 × 3 lists + 0 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#9 Photo to come

The Market Cat

★ 4.5 (1,713)

6 Jubbergate, YO1 8RT

Best for Thornbridge beers and pizza beside Shambles Market.

Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“The Market Cat is a three-storey collaboration between Thornbridge Brewery and Pivovar, planted right beside Shambles Market.”Snaptrip

  • On 2 of 7 lists (Yorkshire Food Guide, Snaptrip (#11))
  • Recommended 2 times on Reddit
  • Google 4.5★ from 1,713 reviews
  • Score 6 = 2 × 2 lists + 2 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#10 Photo to come

Ye Olde Starre Inne

★ 4.4 (4,467)

40 Stonegate, YO1 8AS

Best for a hidden courtyard beer garden off Stonegate.

Old pubBeer gardenCosySunday roast
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“The secret beer garden is an absolute gem – a peaceful courtyard that feels worlds away from the busy city centre.”Skinned Cart Ree

  • On 2 of 7 lists (Skinned Cart Ree, York Press top 10 pubs 2026 shortlist)
  • Recommended 2 times on Reddit
  • Google 4.4★ from 4,467 reviews
  • Score 6 = 2 × 2 lists + 2 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#11 Photo to come

The Fat Badger

★ 4.4 (2,263)

2-4 High Petergate, YO1 7EH

Best for a secret beer garden with views of the Minster.

Beer garden
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —no hours listed
Crowd —no data
Why it's here

“Their secret beer garden is an ideal pitstop in between sightseeing and shopping, and where better to soak up the summer sun than with the view of the York Minster?”Yorkshire Food Guide

  • On 3 of 7 lists (Yorkshire Food Guide, Snaptrip (#10), RJ on Tour)
  • Google 4.4★ from 2,263 reviews
  • Score 6 = 2 × 3 lists + 0 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#12 Photo to come

The Three Legged Mare

★ 4.4 (1,277)

15 High Petergate, YO1 7EN

Best for York Brewery ales and cider, a short walk from the Minster.

Live musicReal ale
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Cider fans should take particular note – York CAMRA named it Cider Pub of the Year in 2026.”Snaptrip

  • On 3 of 7 lists (Snaptrip (#5), Skinned Cart Ree, York CAMRA Pubs of the Year winner)
  • Google 4.4★ from 1,277 reviews
  • Score 6 = 2 × 3 lists + 0 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#13 Photo to come

Guy Fawkes Inn

★ 4.3 (3,247)

25 High Petergate, YO1 7HP

Best for drinking on the site where Guy Fawkes was born.

Beer gardenSunday roastOld pubCosy
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —no hours listed
Crowd —no data
Why it's here

“Guy Fawkes Inn stands on the site where the Gunpowder Plotter was born in 1570, opposite the church where he was baptised.”Snaptrip

  • On 1 of 7 lists (Snaptrip (#9))
  • Recommended 4 times on Reddit
  • Google 4.3★ from 3,247 reviews
  • Score 6 = 2 × 1 lists + 4 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#14 Photo to come

Brew York

★ 4.6 (1,175)

Unit 6, Enterprise Complex, Walmgate, YO1 9TT

Best for the brewery's own beer from 20 lines.

Real aleBeer garden
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times
Why it's here

“Enjoy any of the 20 lines of craft beer they serve, ciders and wines.”Yorkshire Food Guide

  • On 1 of 7 lists (Yorkshire Food Guide)
  • Recommended 3 times on Reddit
  • Google 4.6★ from 1,175 reviews
  • Score 5 = 2 × 1 lists + 3 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#15 Photo to come

The Swan

★ 4.6 (689)

16 Bishopgate St, YO23 1JH

Best for a well-kept 1930s interior and award-winning cask ale.

TraditionalBeer garden
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Outside seats · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“It’s won York CAMRA Pub of the Year more than once, which tells you the beer’s in safe hands.”House of York

  • On 1 of 7 lists (House of York)
  • Recommended 3 times on Reddit
  • Google 4.6★ from 689 reviews
  • Score 5 = 2 × 1 lists + 3 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#16 Photo to come

The Snickleway Inn

★ 4.5 (820)

47 Goodramgate, YO1 7LS

Best for a timber-framed 1500s pub with real ale and live music.

TraditionalLive musicReal ale
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Timber framing, low ceilings and a tangle of rooms give it bags of character, while real ales and live music stop it becoming a museum piece.”Snaptrip

  • On 1 of 7 lists (Snaptrip (#8))
  • Recommended 4 times on Reddit, 1 against
  • Google 4.5★ from 820 reviews
  • Score 5 = 2 × 1 lists + 4 Reddit − 1
Full details Directions ↗
#17 Photo to come

The Habit

★ 4.5 (802)

40 Goodramgate, YO1 7LF

Best for small gigs and a rooftop terrace with Minster views.

Live musicBeer garden
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“The Habit has a loyal following for its intimate gigs and cracking rooftop terrace with views of the Minster.”House of York

  • On 2 of 7 lists (Snaptrip (#12), House of York)
  • Recommended 1 time on Reddit
  • Google 4.5★ from 802 reviews
  • Score 5 = 2 × 2 lists + 1 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#18 Photo to come

York Tap

★ 4.4 (2,987)

Station Rd, YO24 1AB

Best for craft and cask beer in a Victorian building at the station.

Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Housed in a beautifully restored Victorian railway building right beside York station, it’s a pub that manages to feel both historic and refreshingly modern.”Yorkshire Food Guide

  • On 2 of 7 lists (Yorkshire Food Guide, Skinned Cart Ree)
  • Recommended 1 time on Reddit
  • Google 4.4★ from 2,987 reviews
  • Score 5 = 2 × 2 lists + 1 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#19 Photo to come

Eagle & Child

★ 4.5 (1,618)

9 High Petergate, YO1 7EN

Best for rotating real ales in a Grade II* listed building near the Minster.

Sunday roastCosy
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“Eagle and Child sits in a beautiful Grade II* listed building that dates back to 1640, with a cosy terrace at the back donned with fairy lights and a great atmosphere.”Yorkshire Food Guide

  • On 2 of 7 lists (Yorkshire Food Guide, Skinned Cart Ree)
  • Google 4.5★ from 1,618 reviews
  • Score 4 = 2 × 2 lists + 0 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#20 Photo to come

The Stone Roses Bar

★ 4.4 (2,803)

4 King St, YO1 9SP

Best for 80s and 90s indie singalongs.

Pool table
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Live music · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“The Stone Roses Bar is York’s loud, proud tribute to 80s and 90s indie — Oasis, Blur, and of course the Roses themselves on a constant loop.”House of York

  • On 2 of 7 lists (House of York, York Press top 10 pubs 2026 shortlist)
  • Google 4.4★ from 2,803 reviews
  • Score 4 = 2 × 2 lists + 0 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#21 Photo to come

Lendal Cellars

★ 4.3 (1,584)

26 Lendal, YO1 8AA

Best for cheap pints in 17th-century vaulted cellars.

Beer gardenQuirky
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Live music · Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“But the building itself is extraordinary and the prices are low enough that it’s worth it for the experience.”Skinned Cart Ree

  • On 1 of 7 lists (Skinned Cart Ree)
  • Recommended 2 times on Reddit
  • Google 4.3★ from 1,584 reviews
  • Score 4 = 2 × 1 lists + 2 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗
#22 Photo to come

The King's Arms

★ 3.9 (1,604)

The Kings Arms Pub, 3 King's Staith, YO1 9SN

Best for riverside seats on the Ouse, in a pub that floods.

Old pub
Pint£ ?not checked yet
Hours —from Google
Crowd —typical times

Outside seats · Food · Dogs welcome

Why it's here

“The Kings Arms sits right on the River Ouse, and when the river decides to reclaim its territory, the pub displays photos of previous floods on the walls.”Skinned Cart Ree

  • On 2 of 7 lists (Yorkshire Food Guide, Skinned Cart Ree)
  • Google 3.9★ from 1,604 reviews
  • Score 4 = 2 × 2 lists + 0 Reddit
Full details Directions ↗

More ways to pick a pub in York

Where this comes from

Each pub scores 2 for every published list or award that names it and 1 for every Reddit recommendation (up to 4), minus any Reddit comments against it. To get on the page a pub needs two lists, or one list and two Reddit recommendations, so one writer's favourite can't top it. Google rating only breaks ties. Every card shows its score and the sources behind it, and quotes are checked word for word against the page they came from.

We read Google's business data for 292 York pubs on 26 Oct 2026, covering review topics, rating, hours, busy times and listed features. Nobody paid to be here. How we rank has the detail.

Hours, busy times and features come from Google and can change. Check with the pub before a special trip.